Swimmer to compete in 15-state meet

Marion Middle School seventh-grade swimmer Garrett Alleven will compete in the Central Zone 14 & Under Age Group Championships this weekend in Topeka.

The meet is one of the top-level meets for young swimmers sanctioned by USA Swimming, which runs the U.S. Olympic swim team. There are 15 states in the Central Zone region, roughly corresponding to the Central Time Zone.

Alleven will race in the 50-meter backstroke and 50-, 100-, and 200-meter breaststroke. His strongest event is the 200-meter breaststroke, with a personal best time of 3 minutes, 1.25 seconds.

He has raced as part of the Newton Nitros swim team for 2½ years, after beginning on the Marion summer team. Although he isn’t even in high school yet, Alleven said he is interested in competing at the collegiate level someday.

The Central Zone 14 & Under Age Group Championships are Friday through Sunday at Capitol Federal Natatorium at Hummer Sports Park, 530 Tuffy Kellogg Drive, Topeka.